Existential Proof of Faith

Faith–Based Existence and the Resulting Proof of God’s Existence

Abstract

The topic analyzed in this paper is one specific aspect of the debate about God’s existence — the so–called existential proof of faith. Human beings have always been drawn to God, namely, they have always sensed that there was, above all else, one ultimate goal to be achieved in life. They perceived that it is God who is this very goal, and so have tried to prove His existence. However, from the perspective of natural theology and in keeping with the tradition of the (analytic) philosophy of religion, it is considered equally important to understand the foundations of one’s existence and faith in God. Such claims were shared by prominent contemporary existentialist
philosophers, such as S. Kierkegaard and K. Jaspers. When seen in this context, the debate about God’s existence is just one aspect of a broader debate on how people live their faith, and furthermore, how they justify their faith in God. Contemporary philosophy of religion, its analytic branch in particular, is most often devoted to seeking out evidence of God’s existence, although according to the above–mentioned philosophers, it is perhaps even more crucial to live one’s faith, and in this way to prove one’s faith in God as the ultimate purpose of existence. Hence, this paper endeavours to demonstrate the immense importance of the existential dimension of faith, as well
as that of living a faith–based existence.